City of Akron Press Release
From the desk of Ellen Lander Nischt
Published: 05-08-2017

Akron, Ohio, May 8, 2017 - Mayor Dan Horrigan and Akron City Council members Donnie Kammer (Ward 7), Mike Freeman (Ward 9), and Margo Sommerville (Ward 3) announced that the City will host an Open Streets Akron event on Sunday, June 25 from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. This free event will engage the Firestone Park, Kenmore, and Summit Lake neighborhoods and bring civic groups, businesses, residents, and visitors together for a fun, unique and inspiring day of outdoor recreation and community building.

The City will open streets connecting the Firestone Park, Kenmore and Summit Lake community centers with a 4.3 mile street route, allowing citizens to bike, run and walk as they enjoy attractions along the way. The route will include Kenmore Boulevard, the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, Wilbeth Road, and South Firestone Boulevard.

"Open Streets is an international movement to re-imagine public spaces by closing streets to cars and opening them to people. For one day only, Open Streets Akron will transform our roadways into a paved playground to create neighborhood-level engagement and encourage healthy lifestyle choices," Mayor Horrigan said. "It is a truly unique and inspiring experience to watch residents walk out of their homes and onto City streets filled with cyclists, joggers, food vendors, community booths, entertainment, and pedestrians of all ages. I encourage everyone to consider participating in this wonderful, free event and experience their City in a new and different way."

The event is designed to promote mental health and healthy lifestyle choices and is pet and kid-friendly. Local businesses and community groups will participate along the route. Citizens can ride the METRO free on June 25th.

Open Streets Akron is possible due to the support of the Ward Council members, the financial contributions of the Knight Foundation, Bridgestone, Summit County Public Health, and Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition and the community support from Akron Racers Foundation, Akron-Summit County Public Library, METRO RTA, and Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance.

"I want to thank the sponsors and the Mayor's Office for supporting this Open Streets event," Ward 7 Councilman Donnie Kammer said. "I am proud to be a passionate advocate for the Firestone Park community and it has been a great pleasure to work with other stakeholders to bring this event to my ward. I hope the Open Streets event will be a great success in Firestone Park and the surrounding communities of Kenmore and Summit Lake."

For more information, please visit www.akronohio.gov/cms/recreation or call the City of Akron Recreation Bureau at (330) 375-2804.